Donald John Trump was born the fourth of five children to Frederick C. and Mary MacLeod Trump at Jamaica Estates, New York, United States.

1951 (September)

Donald attended Kew Forest School in Forest Hills, New York.

1959 (September)

Due to behaviour problems at Kew Forest School, Donald’s parents sent him to the New York Military Academy.

1964 (Summer)

Donald graduated from the New York Military Academy.

1964 (Summer)

During the Summer holidays Donald worked for his father who was a successful real estate developer.

1964 (Autumn)

Donald attended Fordham University in the Bronx, New York studying Finance

1966 (During)

Donald was given a student deferment against military service in the Vietnam War.

1966 (Autumn)

Donald left Fordham and transferred to Wharton School of Finance and Commerce, University of Pennsylvania because he felt it offered him a better education.

1968 (During)

Donald was given a medical deferment against military service in the Vietnam War.

1968 (Summer)

Donald graduated from Wharton School of Finance and Commerce with a degree in Economics.

1968 (Summer)

Donald joined his father’s real estate company which was named Elizabeth Trump and Son. Elizabeth Trump was Donald’s grandmother who had started the company in 1923.

1969 (December)

Donald was given a very high draft number in the service lottery and again avoided military service in the Vietnam War.

1970 (21st June)

The Penn Central Transportation Company was declared bankrupt. It was the largest company to ever be declared bankrupt.

1970 (late Summer)

Donald obtained an option on the railroad’s yards and applied to build a number of apartments on the site. When building permission was refused he re-applied for permission to build a Convention Center and this was given permission.

1971 (During)

Donald was given control of Elizabeth Trump and Son.

1971 (During)

Donald moved to Manhattan, New York. He had decided to concentrate on building projects in Manhattan that would bring a high return.

1974 (During)

Donald obtained an option on the Commodore, one of the Penn Central’s hotels. The hotel was unprofitable but was in an excellent location. Trump was able to turn it around as the Grand Hyatt into a popular and profitable hotel. This achievement also had the benefit of bringing Donald Trump to public notice.

1977 (7th April)

Donald married Ivana Zelnickova, a Czech model at the Marble Collegiate Church.

1977 (31st December)

A son, Donald Jnr was born to Donald and Ivana Trump.

1979 (During)

Work started on Trump Towers, a 58 storey building to serve as the Trump Organisation Headquarters. It also contains the penthouse living quarters of Trump.

1981 (30th October)

A daughter, Ivanka, was born to Donald and Ivana Trump.

1983 (30th November)

Trump Towers, which had begun development in 1979 was officially opened.

1984 (6th January)

A son, Eric, was born to Donald and Ivana Trump.

1986 (During)

Donald Trump took over the contract for repairs to the Wollman Rink in Central Park when the original contractor went over deadline. Trump completed the project ahead of schedule and under budget.

1988 (During)

Donald Trump bought the Taj Mahal Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey but it didn’t do well and he was unable to meet repayments on the loan taken out to buy the property.

1991 (During)

Donald and Ivana Trump were divorced. The couple had drifted apart and Donald was involved with Maria Maples.

1991 (5th October)

The Taj Mahal Casino was facing bankruptcy but the banks, eager to recoup some of their money agreed to a deal whereby Trump retained a 50% share with the other 50% going to the bondholders.

1993 (13th October)

A daughter, Tiffany, was born to Donald Trump and Maria Maples.

1993 (20th December)

Donald married Maria Maples.

1995 (During)

The Gulf and Western Hotel was stripped down and rebuilt as the Trump International Hotel and Tower, a 44 storey building on Columbus Circle, New York.